Saint Roch-16^th August

Saint Roch

Roch was born (with a red birthmark in the shape of a cross) to wealthy parents, and by the time he was 20 years old, both of them had died. He then distributed the fortune he inherited to the poor and devoted his life to serving people in need. As Roch traveled around ministering to people, he encountered many who were sick from the deadly bubonic plague. He reportedly cared for all the sick people he could, and miraculously

healed many of them through his prayers, touch, and making the sign of the cross over them. Roch himself eventually contracted the plague and set off into some woods by himself to prepare to die. But a count’s hunting dog discovered him there, and when the dog licked Roch’s wounds, they miraculously began to heal. The dog kept visiting Roch, licking his wounds (which kept healing gradually) and bringing Roch bread as food to eat on a regular basis. Roch later recalled that his guardian angel had also helped out, by directing the healing process between Roch and the dog. “The dog is said to have procured food for Roch after the saint had fallen ill and was quarantined in the wilderness and abandoned by the rest of society,” writes William Farina in his book Man Writes Dog. Roch believed that the dog was a gift from God, so he said prayers of gratitude to God and prayers of blessing for the dog. After a while, Roch completely recovered. The count let Roch adopt the dog who had cared so lovingly for him since Roch and the dog had developed a strong bond. Roch was mistaken for a spy after returning home to France, where a civil war was going on. Because of that mistake, Roch and his dog were both imprisoned for five years. In her book Animals in Heaven?: Catholics Want to Know!, Susi Pittman writes: “During the five years that followed, he and his dog cared for the other prisoners, and Saint Roch prayed and shared the Word of God with them until the saint’s death in 1327. Numerous miracles followed his death. Catholic dog lovers are encouraged to seek the intercession of Saint Roch for their beloved pets. Saint Roch is represented in statuary in pilgrim garb accompanied by a dog carrying a loaf of bread in its mouth.”

Prayer to Saint Roch

O Blessed St Roch, Patron of the sick, have pity on those who lie upon a bed of suffering. Your power was so great when you were in this world, that by the sign of the Cross, many were healed of their diseases. Now that you are in heaven, your power is no less. Offer to God our sighs and tears and obtain for us the physical and spiritual health we seek: (Share your request…) This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St Roch: Pray for us, that we may be relieved from all diseases of body and soul. (Repeat 3 times) Lord Jesus, may thy will be done.

Say: Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…

… St Roch, Pray for Us …

Novena to St. Roch

Day 1

Holy and Mighty God, You called St. Roch into a wonderful relationship with You, so that the world might see in him a true example of love, compassion and caring especially for the sick. We beg the grace to pray this novena for the sick, disabled, incurable and dying, and for our special intentions as well. Grant, O Lord, Your miraculous power through the intercession of St. Roch.

We ask this and all our prayers through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Day 2

Creator God, You led St. Roch from a life of luxury and ease, to live for the sake of others in poverty and simplicity. He surrendered himself to You as a pilgrim, to be cleansed from sin, to seek You first above all else. We beg the grace to pray this novena for the sign, disabled, incurable and dying, and for our special intentions as well. Grant us the same vision and witness to values that will lead us to Your kingdom in Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

Day 3

Lord, God, You enabled St Roch, to work among the very poor and homeless. You created in him the desire to serve You through ministry to the outcast and unwanted and to those who could not care for themselves.

We beg the grace to pray this novena for the sick, disabled, incurable and dying, and for our special intentions as well. Urge in us, through St. Roch, the power of compassion and care for the many who are powerless; the weak; those without justice; the homeless and the alienated. We beg this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Day 4

Holy and mighty one, through the following the life of St. Francis, you planted holiness and gospel values in St. Roch. With the intercession of St. Roch, remove other feelings and attitudes of greed, resentment, selfishness, and oppression from our lives. We beg the grace to pray this novena for the sick, disabled, incurable and dying, and for our special intentions as well. Help us to become more other centered, and committed to the assistance of Your holy people, through Christ, Our Lord.

Amen

Day 5

O God of Our Salvation, You gifted St. Roch with healing power to relieve the suffering and pain of many sick persons in his time. He appeared as an angelic messenger to bring relief from devastating disease.

Now we, too, seek the intercession of St. Roch to relieve the anguish of terminal diseases & modern plagues. Protect Your people who call on You from infection contagion, & fear of disease. We beg the grace to pray this novena for the sick, disabled, incurable & dying, & for our special intentions as well. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Day 6

Gracious and loving God, You taught St. Roch to seek the salvation of others above all else. He sought to bring redemption even to those who could do him harm. Grant, in this intercession, that we might be filled with zeal for Your Word; that we might have humility in our lives and the virtues of honesty and integrity as signs of our love for You and the world in which we live.

We beg the grace to pray this novena for the sick, disabled, incurable and dying, and for our special intentions as well. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Day 7

Lord God, You chose St. Roch to share in the suffering and anguish of a dreaded disease. When he was alone and near to death, You taught him absolute trust in Your Holy Providence, and he recovered miraculously. We beg that same trust and confidence in Your healing power for our family and friends, even in the worst moments of fear and anxiety. We beg the grace to pray this novena for the sick, disabled, incurable and dying, and for our special intentions as well. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Day 8

Mighty and merciful God, Your servant, St. Roch, became a true vessel of Your grace and healing power. You worked in Him Your healing touch coupled with the power of the cross. Through his caring intercession, may we commend the sick, the dying, the disabled and disadvantaged this day.

We beg the grace to pray this novena for the sick, disabled, incurable and dying and for our special petitions as well. In sign of Your Holy Cross and healing touch, bring you love and care upon the very sick and dying through christ, our lord.

Amen.

Day 9

Grant, O Lord we beseech Thee, that the intercession of Saint Roch, Thy Confessor, may be favorable and turn away from us the scourge

of Thy wrath, and may reconcile us to thy Divine Majesty. We ask it though our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Litany in Honor of Saint Roch

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, redeemer of the world,

have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

Holy Virgin of Virgins, pray for us.

Saint Roch, generous despiser of the world, pray for us.

Saint Roch, faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst sacrifice thy goods and thyself for the poor, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst continually bear the mortification of Jesus Christ,

pray for us.

Saint Roch, whose heart was burning with charity, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst sacrifice thy goods and thyself for the poor, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst seek contempt for love of Jesus Christ, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst expose thy life to solace the sick, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst serve the plague-stricken with heroic courage and zeal,

pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst arrest the ravages of the plague by the sign of the cross,

pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst save from the contagion several famous cities,

pray for us.

Saint Roch, who was finally attacked by the plague, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst become a model of patience for the plague-stricken,

pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst recover thy health by miracle, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who, notwithstanding thy innocence, was covered with opprobrium and

put in chains by fellow-citizens, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who didst end thy life in prison like a malefactor, pray for us.

Saint Roch, who was efficaciously invoked against the plague by the

Church in a Council, pray for us.

Saint Roch, crowned by Jesus Christ with glory and honor, pray for us.

Saint Roch, our protector, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

Hear us, O Lord.

St. Roch is the patron saint of dogs because a dog would lick his sores and bring him bread when he was suffering from the plague. Dogs have been known as “man’s best friend” for centuries, and even many saints were aided by dogs when they were in need.

For example, there is a popular story from the life of St. Roch that has since earned him the title of “patron saint of dogs.”

In the 14th century, St. Roch devoted himself to helping the sick who were suffering from the plague. He visited many Italian towns and eventually contracted the same disease that he was battling.

The Blessing of Animals

Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air, and animals on the land. You inspired St. Roch to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures!

Amen.

Prayers for Animals

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals, especially for those who are suffering; for animals that are overworked, underfed, and cruelly treated; for all the wistful creatures in captivity, that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted, or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them, we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.

Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the Merciful. Prayer of blessing for a new pet God, who forms all creatures with loving hands, bless this, our new companion animal. Show us by gentle example how to care for our pet, providing all that is needed for its health, growth and happiness. May this new family member enjoy a place in our hearts and home for a long and blissful time. And when it is time for us to say goodbye, may it come kindly. Ease our friend from us, even as we hold its memory forever.

Amen.

Let Us Pray

Grant, O Lord we beseech Thee, that the intercession of Saint Roch, Thy Confessor, may be favorable and turn away from us the scourge of Thy wrath, and may reconcile us to thy Divine Majesty. We ask it though our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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